US car hire

Hazza

Hazza

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Harry
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Evening peeps :)

Hoping to pick the brains of those better travelled the I, me and my Dad are off to the US in September with the view to drive from LA to San Francisco, via the Reno air races. Has anyone done this sort of thing before, and if so any tips about car hire... I'll be 21 by the time we go so I'll be able to drive but get stung by the young drivers fees, so if anyone knows a company that it is good for that any info would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Harry.
 
I would look first at usrentacar.co.uk I have had good deals from them. What I would say is book the car you need don't get talked into an upgrade at the pickup point. The only add on I take is the toll package so you just drive through them.
 
We've done a number of US road trips and have always used Hertz. One-way drop-off charges have always been low, if applied at all.

We have never been charged for any damage to the vehicle (including a 3rd party reversing into the side of our car, and a small paint chip on a different occasion from someone opening their door into our delivery-mileage rental).

Whilst it has never been applicable to us, I know that being a member of the Hertz Gold Club certainly used to mean than young drivers fees were waived. Might be worth looking into if this is still the case.
 
When I've been to florida I've used a company called uscarhire. Beleive they were set up by a couple of brits and the packages they offer cover all you need. They have deals with thbig hire companies but are cheaper through their volume and they allow 21 year old drivers and different pick up and drop off points.

Have a look at them on uscarhire.com and compare them with anyone else but remember all the 'extra' insurances tend to be in their price to begin with
 
We have done the trip several times as have family in California. You have two main choices up the PCH 1 or the 5. The 5 is faster but boring and the Pacific Coast Highway is slow but far more scenic. Reno is closer to that end of the 5.

As far as car rental goes, I'd look at any car rental scrape website and make a choice. Cheap will still produce the main choice international rentals. They will all have the mandated insurances apart from windscreen, tyre, towing and possibly as you are on the young end, excess insurance. Any of the car renters will try to upsell you when you arrive tired and I buy a UK excess insurance that covers me for that. I go often enough to buy an annual policy - most folk here will possibly say it is a waste of money. Cheaper here than there though. Look at moneysavingexpert for their recommendations.

Some states are starting to require that you have an International Driving Permit, most don't. Pretty sure that CA still don't but check before you go. It only costs £5.50 from main post offices so again, I have one just in case. It lasts a year.

We have US maps on my UK tomtom satnav. No point in renting one there. I would strongly recommend satnav as it takes the pressure off when you are tired. Miss a turn and it's not a problem.
 
I'd take the longer inland route..
Take the 15....the 127 and the 195 through Death Valley. Then the 395 north through Bishop, Mammoth, Lee Vining and Mono.
Easy run from there up to Reno.
From there over to SF via Lake Tahoe.
It's a run I've done a few times :-)

PCH is lovely, but I'd say a tad overrated.

Always used Thrifty tbh. Never had a problem and never been hit with any additional charges.
 
I guess different thoughts for different folks. I have done the Bishop / Carson City route also although starting in Las Vegas . If you plan to go through the High Sierras be very aware of the weather - late September the weather is starting to change and shortly after some of the smaller roads will start to close for the season - although if you stay on the 395 you should be fine. I guess the route depends on what your interests are, how much time you have and what you want to see.

One other thought is that most car rentals from Las Vegas or LAX will allow you to drop off in SFO without a one way charge. If you don't want to take it back to where you got the car that may sway who you rent through.

If you fancy the route viv1969 suggests, Las Vegas is also an option and sometimes the flights to there are cheaper than LAX.
 
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